WATCH | Disha Salian’s father reaches Matoshree, hands Rs 500 crore defamation notice to Aaditya Thackeray’s lawyers

Satish Salian, father of late celebrity manager Disha Salian, speaks to reporters after visiting Matoshree. PIC/PTI

High-voltage drama unfolded outside 'Matoshree', the Bandra residence of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, on Saturday as Satish Salian, father of late celebrity manager Disha Salian, arrived to serve a Rs 500 crore defamation notice on legislator Aaditya Thackeray, news agency IANS reported.

Accompanied by his legal team, led by advocate Nilesh Ojha, Satish Salian sought to deliver the legal notice concerning recent social media statements made by Aaditya Thackeray and former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh regarding Disha Salian's death.

The area surrounding the Thackeray residence witnessed political tension and heightened security. Scores of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) workers gathered outside the gates, raising protests and attempting to prevent Satish Salian and his legal team from approaching the property, IANS reported.

Mumbai Police deployed heavy security and closed the main entrance gates to prevent any law-and-order escalation.

Senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Member of Parliament (MP) Anil Desai also arrived at Matoshree during the incident.

Former Maharashtra minister Anil Parab arranged a legal team comprising advocates Rahul Diwate and Anil Jadhav, who stepped up to the main gate to collect the notice on behalf of Aaditya Thackeray.

After a brief standoff, Aaditya Thackeray's legal representative signed an acknowledgement of receipt at the gate.

Speaking to media personnel at the spot, Aaditya Thackeray's counsel clarified that they had accepted the notice as standard protocol, though they had not yet read its contents.

The legal notice reportedly demands an unconditional apology from Aaditya Thackeray within seven days over his recent remarks on social media. If he fails to tender an apology, the notice mandates compensation of Rs 500 crore for defamation.

Explaining the basis for the legal action, advocate Nilesh Ojha said, "The notice requires Aaditya Thackeray to issue an apology, failing which a Rs 500 crore compensation suit will be pursued. Everyone is equal under the Constitution, and we are invoking our constitutional rights to show that an ordinary citizen is no less than anyone else."

When questioned by journalists about why the notice was delivered in person rather than sent by mail, Satish Salian alleged intimidation by representatives linked to Shiv Sena-UBT.

"I wanted to show them that they (Shiv Sena-UBT) cannot intimidate us. Aaditya Thackeray's associates threatened my lawyers, telling them they wouldn't be able to enter the courtroom," he said.

Speaking to the press before reaching Matoshree, Satish Salian said, "Nobody can control me except God. It took six years because the lawyers took time, but I am satisfied that the police have registered the case."

The development follows recent public statements by Aaditya Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray refuting allegations connecting Aaditya Thackeray to Disha Salian's death, which occurred shortly before actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death in 2020.

Aaditya Thackeray recently said that he never knew Disha Salian or met her, dismissing the persistent allegations, previously raised by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders including Nitesh Rane, as politically motivated attempts at character assassination.

(With IANS inputs)